1
as in cuddling
to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love
it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in brushing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kissing
Four years later, Nicole marked another anniversary by sharing more photos on Instagram, including a picture of them kissing on the beach.
—
Kaitlin Stevens, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Have all these men forgotten that kissing someone outside a challenge is a little different from the semi-compulsory makeout games?
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 June 2026
During the slumber party kissing challenge, Melanie even bounced between kissing Sincere and Corbin Mims, which upset the New Jersey native.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 10 June 2026
Most of the brick paintings at Wrightwood are Loisaida landscapes, peopled with passionate characters like kissing firemen, airborne skateboarders and Miguel Piñero, a Puerto Rican poet, playwright and ex-convict who was Wong’s lover in the early ’80s.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The Running Point star posted 14 snapshots, which included a photo of them kissing in a lush garden, another of them posing with their 7-year-old daughter, Rani Rose Hudson Fujikawa, and even one picture of the couple lounging in bed.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 10 June 2026
One image showed Trudeau kissing Perry on the cheek while pulling her close in an embrace.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Tate started kissing Southern and pulling off her clothes.
—Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Even with the windows open all the way, the heat is hugging us, kissing us, pinching our cheeks.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Kaitlin Stevens, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Have all these men forgotten that kissing someone outside a challenge is a little different from the semi-compulsory makeout games?
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 June 2026
During the slumber party kissing challenge, Melanie even bounced between kissing Sincere and Corbin Mims, which upset the New Jersey native.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 10 June 2026
Most of the brick paintings at Wrightwood are Loisaida landscapes, peopled with passionate characters like kissing firemen, airborne skateboarders and Miguel Piñero, a Puerto Rican poet, playwright and ex-convict who was Wong’s lover in the early ’80s.
—Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
The Running Point star posted 14 snapshots, which included a photo of them kissing in a lush garden, another of them posing with their 7-year-old daughter, Rani Rose Hudson Fujikawa, and even one picture of the couple lounging in bed.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 10 June 2026
One image showed Trudeau kissing Perry on the cheek while pulling her close in an embrace.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Tate started kissing Southern and pulling off her clothes.
—Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Even with the windows open all the way, the heat is hugging us, kissing us, pinching our cheeks.
—Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing
Verb
-
The former couple did spend the 2025 holiday season together, with Slater taking to his own Instagram Stories in December to share rare photos of the pop star cuddling with a dog and laughing at a private gathering.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 June 2026
-
The pair posted more photos of their bundles of joy over the next month, including one of the twins napping in matching Knicks jerseys next to a basketball, and another of the new parents cuddling their babies at home.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Starting in third place on Sunday is Hamilton in the Ferrari, followed by teammate and home favorite Charles Leclerc who had to settle for P4 after brushing the wall while trying to retake P1 in the final moments of Q3.—
Yara Elshebiny,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Up close, the shaggy layers framed her face effortlessly, with the shortest layers brushing just past her eyes and the longest layers grazing her jaw bone.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
The late-night host has been on a hilarious smooching spree during his second-to-last week on the air, kissing several guests in recent days.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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The new couple was most recently spotted smooching and holding hands in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood on Friday, April 3, and getting coffees on Sunday, April 5.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Siri carried out this choreography without the user ever touching an app.—
Eric Sullivan,
Scientific American,
9 June 2026
-
But as is fitting for a filmmaker pushing 80, awestruck innocence now co-exists with a more ruminative maturity, especially when touching on the secrecy, manipulation and deception of governmental power.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Rendered in a soft buttercream hue, the dress featured a high neckline and an elegant swing silhouette that skimmed the body rather than hugging it.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
11 June 2026
-
Ground-hugging plants can be pruned around the outer edges.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Place reserved lemon slices in pairs on grate, snuggling up against each other.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 June 2026
-
Suzette loves playing with feather toys and balls and snuggling in blankets.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kissing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kissing. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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